Number of Rajya Sabha Seats in All the Indian States

Rajya sabha is called the counsel of the states or upper house of the Indian parliament.  Article 80 of the Constitution lays down the maximum strength of Rajya Sabha as 250, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President and 238 are representatives of the States and of the two Union Territories. The allocation of seats is made on the basis of the population of each State.

Constitutional Provisions relating to Rajya Sabha

Composition/Strength

Article 80 of the Constitution lays down the maximum strength of Rajya Sabha as 250, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President and 238 are representatives of the States and of the two Union Territories.  The present strength of Rajya Sabha, however, is 245, out of which 233 are representatives of the States and Union territories of Delhi and Puducherry and 12 are nominated by the President. The members nominated by the President are persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art and social service.

Allocation of Seats

The Fourth Schedule to the Constitution provides for allocation of seats to the States and Union Territories in Rajya Sabha.  The allocation of seats is made on the basis of the population of each State.  Consequent on the reorganization of States and formation of new States, the number of elected seats in the Rajya Sabha allotted to States and Union Territories has changed from time to time since 1952. 

Eligibility

Qualifications

Article 84 of the Constitution lays down the qualifications for membership of Parliament.  A person to be qualified for the membership of the Rajya Sabha should posses the following qualifications:

1. He must be a citizen of India and make and subscribe before some person authorized in that behalf by the Election Commission an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule to the Constitution;

2. He must be not less than 30 years of age;

3. He must possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed in that behalf by or under any law made by Parliament.

Disqualifications

Article 102 of the Constitution lays down that a person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of Parliament –

1. If he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder;

2. If he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court;

3. If he is an undischarged insolvent;

4. If he is not a citizen of India, or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State, or is under any acknowledgement of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State;

5. If he is so disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament. 

India an overview

Number of Rajya Sabha Seats in All the Indian States is given in the Table:

Facts:

1. National Capital Territory of Delhi and Puducherry are the only two union territories which has seats in the Rajya Sabha.

2. Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of Rajya Sabha seats.

3. Before the bifurcation Andhra Pradesh has 18 seats but from June 2014, 7 seats are allocated to the newly formed state Telangana.

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